client: Mindo Chocolate Makers

This work was produced as a two part project – brand strategy followed by sustainable package design. In the initial phase, I performed research on the social (cultural), economical and environmental aspects of chocolate making, through which I gained an intimate knowledge of the process from farm to table. I also interviewed the client and other stakeholders in an effort to learn as much as I could about their goals, perceived needs, behavior and values.

For the second phase of the project, I created sustainable packaging solutions for Mindo. I reviewed artisan chocolate making, explored the competition and market, looked at potential materials and processes, explored the supply chain of those ideas and finally outlined a solution that encompasses all the data collected.

You will find an overview of the process in the Case Study and detailed documentation in the Full Report.

Visual Communication: The Environmental Impact of PVC Vinyl

This infographic was part of a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) project I undertook about PVC vinyl . I compared the environmental impact of a PVC vinyl banner to that of a comparable banner made of organic cotton canvas.

This LCA looked at all aspects of environmental impact, from the mining of the metal for the grommets to the petroleum in the inks used for printing. I also calculated the transportation miles for all the elements of the final product.

During the course of the project, I learned how destructive PVC materials are to the ecosphere. PVC is the number 1 producer of dioxins in the environment. It is toxic to make and toxic to dispose of. Once manufactured, there are few options to recycle PVC, and it continues to break down, off-gas and produce environmental toxins throughout its time on Earth.

2. eliminate our contribution to the progressive buildup of chemicals and compounds produced by society (for example, dioxins, PCBs, and DDT)

3. eliminate our contribution to the progressive physical degradation and destruction of nature and natural processes (for example, over harvesting forests and paving over critical wildlife habitat); and

4. eliminate our contribution to conditions that undermine people’s capacity to meet their basic human needs (for example, unsafe working conditions and not enough pay to live on).

These system principles are represented by what I refer to as system condition “short” names:

This project involved strategizing, conceptualizing and visually communicating a solution to address the issue of Peak Oil. My solution was an electric vehicle carpool for commuters. Participants could choose a route and passengers via an iPhone app, website or by phone. Each car would have an assigned driver to pick up all riders, drop them at their respective locations, and then park the car for charging. At the end of the day, the driver would reverse the route, picking up the riders and returning them home. The car would then be stored in a garage for charging and maintenance.